Process of recoloring leather.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN M. ROBBINS, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

' PROCESS OF REGOLORING- LEATHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 30, 1908.

Application filed April 29, 1907. Serial No. 370,924.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, EDWIN M. ROBBINS, citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Recoloring Leather; and I do hereby declare the followmg to be a full, clear, and exact description 'of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to the treatment of leather and analogous materials which have reviously colored or dyed, and has forbeen p its 0 ject to rovide means whereby the colored or dye surface of the material is rendered porous and the porosity of the body of the material beneath the colored or dyed surface increased, or placed in condition to receive and hold *a coating containing coloring matter so that the surface is restored to its prior condition. To this end the invention consists generally of a process for treating the I colored or dyed surface of the material to place the same in proper condition for receivmg anew coating compound containing the requisite coloringmatter, and thus resurface the material, the steps for carrying out such process being hereafter set forth and specifically pointed out in the claims. 7

In applying the improved process, the surface of t e material, such as leather or the like, which hasbeen previously tanned and colored e or dyed, and which it is desired to re-color, is

subjected to the action of p a solution composed of an animal oil, a vegetable oil, spirits of ammonia and an alcoholic body, which penetrates, the color or dye and renders the same porous or open, and also passes into the body of the material and separates the fibers thereof-=and thus renders it more porous; The non-volatile 'ortio'ns of the compound are retained wit in the fibers of the material and serves as a preservative thereof, and are also adapted to unite with the second solution, which in its turn leaves a finished surface, as hereinafter explained: X

The ingredients and. proportions of this I first or preliminary solutlon areas follows 50 Animal oil- -1 part. Vegetable oil 1 part. Amm0nia e 1 part. An alcoholic body- 7 parts.

These ingredients are mixed in their natural state, with or Without heat. The next 'to obtain the proper shade.

and final step in the improved process consists in subjecting the previously treated surface, as above described, to a solution composed of a vegetable oil, a suitable drier, gum copal and a thinning solution, such as benzin, na htha, turpentine, or any well known equiva ent, which as above noted, unites with the portions of the first solution retained in the materiaL- This second solution is repared as follows One gallon of vegetab e oil is boiled from three to twelve hours, as may be required,

the temperature varying from 300 to 600 .F. During the cooling subsequent to the boiling above noted, the resultant is thinned to the proper consistency by adding three or four gallons of benzin, naphtha, turpentine, or the like, and the drier mixed with the solution together with a suitable coloring matter quired from one to five ounces of gum copal to the gallon is added, but if a dull finish is required, the gum 00 a1 is omitted.

The animal oil emp oyed will preferably be neats-foot oil, or any good animal oil may be If a gloss is rep employed which will produce the same rehas generally been exhausted of the fat and oil which was-originally incor orated when theleather was tanned, and w en leather in this condition has been treated by the first solution'the ores are opened so that the leather absor s the animal oil and thus renews its life.

v The function of the vegetable oil in the first solution is to produce a binding effect to aid in fixing the second solution to the surface to be colored, and for this purpose experiment has shown that the best results are obtained when using boiled linseed oil on account of its quick drying and'binding qualities.

. In the second step of the process no animal oil is employed but a quick drying vegetable oil is used of e elastic, durable and ,Thus a material which has been reviously dyed or colored dark can be reco ored in a light shade, and a material which has been reviously colored or dyed a light shade can be re-colored a dark shade. Thus all leather and like materials upon articles or structures such as chairs, sofas, carriage and automobile seats and backs, and other similar structures, can be re-colored without removal from the structures to which they are attached.

I The improved process is especially applicable to the upholstered portions of. automobiles, carriage, and to the leather or other fabric coverings of vehicles of various kinds Without the removal ofthe fabrics, or disturbing them in any manner.

The improved process can be effectually applied to the materials commonly known as pantasote and other of the well known substitutes for leather, or to colored or dyed canvas or other analogous fabrics.

' Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. The herein described process for re-surfacing fabric material which has been previously colored or dyed, consisting in first applying a solution substantially such as .described capable of rendering the original colored or dyed surface lporous, penetrating the body of the mater'ia to separate the fibers and remaining therein, and then applying to the surface so treated a solution substantially as described containing coloring matter and capable of penetrating the separated fibers of the material and adhering to the original colored or dyed material and uniting with scrl ed, which solution remalns in the mathe portions of the first solution remaining in the material.

l 2. The herein described rocess for re-surfacing fabric material whic has been previously colored or dyed, which consists in first applyin a solution composed of animal oil, vegetab e oil, ammonia and an alcoholic in about the proportions herein deterial, and then applying to the material a 3. The herein described rocess for rc-surfacing fabric material whic has been reviously colored or dyed, which consists st in applying a solution composed of animal oil, vegetab e oil, ammonia, and an alcoholic body in about the proportions herein described, which solution remains in the material, and then applying to the material a solution composed of vegetable oil, a suitable thinning ingredient, a suitable coloring matter, and'gum copal in about the proportions and prepared in the manner herein described which unite with the portions of the first solution remaining in the material. I

4. A process for refinishing fabric material consisting in applying thereto a preliminar softening solution comprising a volatile so ventand oils adapted to unite with a second refinishing solution, then applying a refinishing solution comprising oi adapted to unite with the residue of the preliminary solution.

5. A process for refinishing fabric material consisting in applying thereto a preliminary softening solution comprising a volatile solvent, ammonia, and oils adapted to unite with a second refinishing solution, then applying a refinishin solution comprising oil adapted to unite with the, residue of the preliminary solution. I

6. A process for refinishing fabric material consisting in applying thereto a preliminary softenin solutlon comprising a volatile solvent and oils adapted to unite with a second refinishing solution, then applyin a refinish ing solution comprising oil and coming matterand adapted to unite with the residue of the preliminary solution.

7. A process for refinishing fabric material consisting in applying-thereto a preliminar softening solution comprising a volatile so vent, ammonia, and oils adapted to unite with a second refinishing solution, then applying a refinishing solution comprising oil and colorin matter and adapted to unite with the resldue of the reliminary solution.

In testimony whereo I have signed my name to, this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. 1 a EDWIN ROBBINS. 4

Witnesses:

W. T. MILLER, Gno. H. FISHER. 

